Security: The Consumer Device Conundrum
Experts say that despite the usefulness of smart phones, digital music players, and USB drives, they may pose a security risk to companies. "It costs more in the short run for companies to issue their own equipment, but in the long run it's probably the best approach," says attorney Mark Halligan at Welsh & Katz. "With outside consumer devices, you need to build strict polices that police and limit the use of each individual technology, each device, or else someone will bring them into your operation and simply walk away with your data." One of the problems with consumer devices is employee's dependence on the devices outside of the workplace. Steve Baker at NPD Group says telling workers to leave their smart phones at home is counterproductive. Technology vendors are coming up with new tools targeted at companies to control how consumer devices are used. Companies such as Microsoft, are coming up with their own tools, such as one for its Vista operating system. Security experts suggest companies establish polices on the use of consumer devices as the simplest way to reduce security risks. Steve Hunt at 4A International says companies need to let employees know they are being monitored in order to discourage the theft of company information.
© Copyright 2006 INFORMATION, INC.
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